In association with Concerts SA, Jazz and soul singer Spha Mdlalose (28) is set to embark on a three-city tour this week, starting in her home town of Durban.
The tour will see Spha performing in three cities that have inspired her musical journey: Durban, where she was born; Cape Town, where she lived for over twenty years; and Johannesburg, which she now calls home. And the tour’s timing signifies a full circle moment in the artist’s career as she gears up to release her debut album later this year.
One of the most talented voices of her generation, Spha moves from rough-hewn shebeen-styled jazz, through soulful gospel grooves to Sarah Vaughan-like sophistication and Ella-edged beboppers.
Despite her tender age Spha has carved a successful musical career for herself, having worked with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Abigail Kubeka and international pop star Josh Groban. Admittedly a late bloomer in the song writing department, she looks forward to sharing her compositions which are influenced by her jazz studies, her love of African music and the gospel music her mother introduced her to when she was just a little girl. Spha will play with a different quintet in each city, something which promises to give the music fresh interpretation each time, ultimately transporting audiences to places anew and possibly inspiring more music.
Spha will be backed on stage by an impressive quartet of performers, with Thandi Ntuli and Gabriel Montgomery alternating on piano/ keyboards, Thembinkosi Mavimbela on double bass, Sisonke Xonti blowing the saxophone and Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums.
Asked about the tour, Spha comments: “Being on the verge of releasing my solo debut album, I want to expose my music and artistic offering to as wide and diverse audiences as possible. South Africa can be characterised as a polarised society due to its history of minority oppression of the majority. The arts in general and music in particular, have played a pivotal role in attempting to unify South Africa’s democratic society. Against this backdrop I see my music and artistic offering as a contribution towards South Africa’s post 94 social healing project.”
Spha Mdlalose’s national tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative housed under the auspices of the Stakeholder Hub within the SAMRO Foundation; it receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, the project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing ways to create a vibrant and viable live music circuit. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. For more information please visit our website, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
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Events Listing
Durban – The Chairman
Friday 17th March – 10.30pm – R 150
Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban
Contact: 079 753 6313/ info@thechairmanlive.com
Durban – The Jazzy Rainbow
Sunday 19th March – 5pm – R 80 (drink included)
Address: 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Rd, Durban
Contact: 031 303 8398 / jazzyrainbow@mweb.co.za
Cape Town – South African Slave Museum
Saturday 8th April – Time & Price TBC
Address: 40 Long St, Observatory, Cape Town
Contact: 021 423 6755
Cape Town – The Drawing Room
Wednesday 12th April – 8pm – R 80
Address: 87 Station Road, Observatory, Cape Town
Contact: 082 672 0515 / info@thedrawingroomcafe.co.za
Cape Town – The Crypt
Wednesday 13th April – 8.30pm – R 120
Address: 1 Wale St, Cape Town
Contact: 079 683 4658 / info@thecryptjazz.co.za
Vereeniging – Iketleng
Friday 21st April – 8pm – No cover charge
Address: 4 Tungsten Rd, Vereeniging
Contact: 083 304 1627
Johannesburg – Gallery Momo
Saturday 29th April – Time & Price TBC
Address: 52 7th Ave, Johannesburg
Contact: 011 327 3247 / info@gallerymomo.com
Pretoria – Hard Rock Cafe
Sunday 30th April – Time & Price TBC
Address: Shop G167, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria
Contact: 010 140 0797 / info@hrcpretoria.com
